The Japanese Garden has provided beauty and sanctuary to Lithia Park visitors for over a hundred years. Now thanks to a generous gift from Ashland Parks Foundation Board Member, Jeff Mangin, and his in-laws in France to honor his late wife, Beatrice Marechal, the Japanese Garden will receive an authentic redesign by renowned landscape designer Toru Tanaka of Portland Japanese Garden fame. The area will respect historical and cultural traditions, while also modernizing access in accordance with ADA standards so that people of all abilities can enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Garden.
The Enders Memorial Shelter, named after residents Jennie and Henry Enders, was built in 1916 at the original entrance to Lithia Park. In 2013, a successful effort to restore and modernize the deteriorating structure was undertaken, thanks to Capital Improvement Funds and money raised through the Ashland Parks Foundation. The gazebo once housed a Lithia water drinking fountain. There are still drinking fountains today—but with regular water—Lithia water flows harmlessly into Ashland Creek from an adjacent pipe. Enders Shelter is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The North Mountain Park Nature Play Area: Funded entirely by grants and donations, thanks in part to the Ashland Parks Foundation, the North Mountain Park Nature Play Area opened in 2019, after more than three years of planning and construction. The Play Area includes stream channels that mimic our watershed, “loose parts” such as sticks, logs, and river rocks that kids can use for building, a giant sand play area, and many other fun features that encourage creative, adventurous play while protecting wildlife habitat in the rest of the park. The Play Area contains ADA accessible pathways and ample seating for families.
Donate to the ongoing maintenance of the Nature Play Area.